Alkaloid monomers, liquid crystal compositions and polymer networks derived therefrom

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is the chemical synthesis of chiral alkaloid monomers, liquid crystal compositions comprising the chiral alkaloid monomers, and polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions to provide polymer networks with useful cholesteric optical properties and stability.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/955,949, filed Aug. 15, 2007, which is by this reference incorporated in its entirety as a part hereof for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is related to the chemical synthesis of chiral alkaloid monomers, liquid crystal compositions comprising the chiral alkaloid monomers, and polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions to provide polymer networks with useful cholesteric optical properties and stability.

BACKGROUND

Thermotropic liquid crystals are generally crystalline compounds with significant anisotropy in shape. That is, at the molecular level, they are characterized by a rod-like or disc like structure. When heated they typically melt in a stepwise manner, exhibiting one or more thermal transitions from a crystal to a final isotropic phase. The intermediate phases, known as mesophases, can include several types of smectic phases wherein the molecules are generally confined to layers; and a nematic phase wherein the molecules are aligned parallel to one another with no long range positional order. The liquid crystal phase can be achieved in a heating cycle, or can be arrived at in cooling from an isotropic phase. A comprehensive description of the structure of liquid crystals in general, and twisted nematic liquid crystals in particular, is given in “The Physics of Liquid Crystals,” P. G. de Gennes and J. Prost, Oxford University Press, 1995.

An important variant of the nematic phase is one wherein a chiral moiety is present therein, referred to as a twisted nematic, chiral nematic, or cholesteric phase. In this case, the molecules are parallel to each other as in the nematic phase, but the director of molecules (the average direction of the rodlike molecules) changes direction through the thickness of a layer to provide a helical packing of the nematic molecules. The pitch of the helix is perpendicular to the long axes of the molecules. This helical packing of anisotropic molecules leads to important and characteristic optical properties of twisted nematic phases including circular dichroism, a high degree of rotary power; and the selective reflection of light, including ultraviolet, visible, and near-IR light. Reflection in the visible region leads to brilliantly colored layers. The sense of the helix can either be right-handed or left-handed, and the rotational sense is an important characteristic of the material. The chiral moiety either may be present in the liquid crystalline molecule itself, for instance, as in a cholesteryl ester, or can be added to the nematic phase as a dopant, leading to induction of the cholesteric phase. This phenomenon is well documented, as discussed for example in H. Bassler and M. M. Labes, J. Chem. Phys., 52, 631 (1970).

There has been significant effort invested in methods for preparing, by synthesis, polymerization and otherwise, stable polymer layers exhibiting fixed cholesteric optical properties. One approach has been to synthesize monofunctional and/or polyfunctional reactive monomers that exhibit a cholesteric phase upon melting, formulate a low melting liquid crystal composition, and polymerize the liquid crystal composition in its cholesteric phase to provide a polymer network exhibiting stable optical properties of the cholesteric phase. Use of cholesteric monomers alone, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,896, provided cholesteric layers with the desired optical properties, but the polymer layers possessed relatively weak mechanical properties.

Many efforts have been made to improve the physical properties and thermal stabilities by formulating twisted nematic monomer phases that are capable of crosslinking polymerizations to provide polymer networks. A need remains, however, for polymerizable chiral monomers that have good phase compatibility in polymerizable nematic liquid crystals and high helical twisting power (HTP). High HTP allows the use of smaller amounts of the expensive chiral component to be used in twisted nematic formulations to induce a desired pitch. Good phase compatibility is required to prevent premature crystallization or phase separation of the chiral monomers from the twisted nematic formulation.

Crosslinking chiral monomers with high HTP and good phase compatibility, based on the isosorbide chiral group, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,395. Chiral monomers with high HTP and good phase compatibility, based on alkaloid monomers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,022,259. However, the latter chiral dopants are not capable of being substantially covalently bonded to a polymer network. In some applications these nonpolymerizable monomers may exhibit adequate stability. However, for many optical applications, the cholesteric layer is in contact with another layer. The other layer may be another cholesteric layer or a different material. In this case, stability of the chiral dopant toward migration and/or extraction becomes a significant issue. This is because, as discussed above, the concentration and HTP of the chiral dopant significantly determines the pitch and thus the wavelength of maximum reflection. Thus, a need remains for chiral monomers that have good phase compatibility with polymerizable nematic phases, exhibit high HTP, and exhibit significant stability in polymer networks toward migration.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein is a compound as represented by the structure of the following formula (I):

D-S₁—(B—S₂)_(m)-(A₁S₃)_(n)—R_(p)   (I)

wherein

D is a chiral moiety (D1) or (D2) derived, by formal removal of a hydroxyl group, from the alkaloids selected from the group consisting of (−) cinchonidine, CAS [485-71-2]; (+)-cinchonine, CAS [118-10-5]; quinine, CAS [130-95-0] and quinidine, CAS [56-54-2]; and their dihydro-derivatives:

X is hydrogen or —OCH₃;

R is —CH═CH₂ or —CH₂CH₃;

S₁ is a linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —OC(O)—, —OC(O)NH— and —OC(O)O—;

S₂ and S₃ are linking groups each independently selected from the group consisting of covalent bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —OC(O)NR₁—, —NR₁C(O)O—, —SC(O)—, and —C(O)S—;

R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ to C₄ alkyl;

each B is a divalent radical independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic and aromatic carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having 1 to 16 carbon atoms; optionally having one or more fused rings and optionally mono- or polysubstituted with L;

L is selected from the group consisting of the substitutents F, Cl, —CN, and —NO₂; and alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, and alkoxycarbonyl groups, having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the carbon atoms are optionally substituted with F or Cl;

A₁ is a divalent linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by linking groups selected from the group —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)— and —C(O)O—;

R_(p) is a polymerizable group;

m is an integer of 1 or 2; and

n is an integer of 0 or 1.

Another embodiment of the inventions hereof is a polymerizable liquid crystal composition comprising at least one chiral compound of formula (I) as defined above. A further embodiment is a polymer network derived from polymerization of the liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound of formula (I) as defined above; and more specifically, a polymer network that exhibits significant stability toward migration of the chiral compound. Another embodiment is an optical element comprising the polymer network defined above.

The terms (meth)acrylate salt, (meth)acrylate ester, (meth)acrylate acid, and the like, herein encompass materials and the moieties comprising the radical CH₂═C(R₂)—C(O)—O—; including methacrylate, wherein R₂ is methyl; acrylate, wherein R₂ is hydrogen; chloroacrylate, wherein R₂ is Cl; and fluoroacrylate, wherein R₂ is F; unless specifically defined otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ability of a twisted nematic phase, which is also referred to herein as a cholesteric phase or a chiral nematic phase, to selectively reflect light in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet region is useful in many applications. When the propagation direction of plane polarized or unpolarized light is along the helical axis of the twisted nematic layer, the wavelength of maximum reflection, λ₀, is governed by the equation λ₀=n_(a) p, wherein n_(a) is the average of n_(o) and n_(e), and n_(o) and n_(e) are defined as the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices, respectively, of the twisted nematic phase measured in the propagation direction; and wherein p is the pitch of the helix (the distance the helix takes to repeat itself). Light outside the vicinity of λ₀ is essentially unaffected in transmission. For light with a wavelength in the vicinity of wavelength λ₀, the twisted nematic phase exhibits selective reflection of the light such that approximately 50% of the light is reflected and approximately 50% of the light is transmitted, with both the reflected and transmitted beams being substantially circularly polarized. The pitch p can be tuned effectively by manipulating the amount of chiral dopant, the twisting power of the dopant and selection of the nematic materials. The pitch is sensitive to temperature, unwinding or tightening with a change in temperature; to electric fields, dopants, and other environmental considerations. Thus, in the twisted nematic phase, manipulation of the pitch, and thus the wavelength of maximum reflection, can be accomplished with a wide variety of tools.

Depending upon the intrinsic rotatory sense of the helical nature of the twisted nematic substance, i.e. whether it is right-handed or left-handed, the light that is transmitted is either right-hand circularly polarized light (RHCPL) or left-hand circularly polarized light (LHCPL). In order to conform to popular convention, the twisted nematic liquid crystal substances will be hereinbelow identified by the kind of light that is reflected in the wavelength region around λ₀. When a cholesteric or twisted nematic layer is said to be right-handed it is meant that it reflects RHCPL, and when a layer is said to be left-handed it is meant that it reflects LHCPL. A right-handed twisted nematic liquid crystal layer transmits LHCPL essentially completely, whereas the same layer reflects RHCPL almost completely, at λ₀. This assumes, of course, the cholesteric or twisted nematic layer is optimally aligned in a planar orientation. Conversely a left-handed twisted nematic liquid crystal layer transmits RHCPL essentially completely, whereas the same layer reflects LHCPL almost completely, at λ₀. Since plane polarized or unpolarized light contains equal amounts of RHCPL and LHCPL, a twisted nematic layer is approximately 50 percent transmitting at λ₀ for these light sources. This assumes, of course, the cholesteric or twisted nematic layer is optimally aligned in a planar orientation.

In certain optical applications, e.g. solar control applications, it is preferred that substantially all the light at some wavelengths be reflected. This requires at least one layer of each handedness, i.e. a layer reflecting RHCPL and a layer reflecting LHCPL, to be present. One method for reflecting substantially all of the light in the vicinity of λ₀ is to use two twisted nematic layers with similar λ₀, one right-handed and one left-handed. Light in the region around λ₀ transmitted by the first layer will be reflected by the second layer, with the result that substantially all of the incident light with a wavelength in the vicinity of λ₀ will be reflected. In theory, this may be accomplished by using enantiomeric chiral dopants of opposite chirality in matched twisted nematic layers. However, in most cases, one or both chiral dopants of the pair are usually very expensive, or unavailable. Thus, it is necessary to seek out suitable chiral dopants that have good compatibility with nematic phases, have high HTP, may be used for the formation of right-handed nematic layers and left-handed nematic layers, and exhibit excellent stability within polymer networks. The latter property is noteworthy because, as discussed above, the concentration of chiral dopant largely determines magnitude of the pitch of the network.

One embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein is a compound as represented by the structure of the following formula (I):

D-S₁—(B—S₂)_(m)-(A₁S₃)_(n)—R_(p)   (I)

wherein

D is a chiral moiety (D1) or (D2) derived, by formal removal of a hydroxyl group, from the alkaloids selected from the group consisting of (−) cinchonidine, CAS [485-71-2]; (+)-cinchonine, CAS [118-10-5]; quinine, CAS [130-95-0] and quinidine, CAS [56-54-2]; and their dihydro-derivatives:

X is hydrogen or —OCH₃;

R is —CH═CH₂ or —CH₂CH₃;

S₁ is a linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —OC(O)—, —OC(O)NH— and —OC(O)O—;

S₂ and S₃ are linking groups each independently selected from the group consisting of covalent bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —OC(O)NR₁—, —NR₁C(O)O—, —SC(O)—, and —C(O)S—;

R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ to C₄ alkyl;

each B is a divalent radical independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic and aromatic carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having 1 to 16 carbon atoms; optionally having one or more fused rings and optionally mono- or polysubstituted with L;

L is selected from the group consisting of the substitutents F, Cl, —CN, and —NO₂; and alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, and alkoxycarbonyl groups, having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the carbon atoms are optionally substituted with F or Cl;

A₁ is a divalent linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by linking groups selected from the group —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)— and —C(O)O—;

R_(p) is a polymerizable group;

m is an integer of 1 or 2; and

n is an integer of 0 or 1.

In formula (I), the left side of the formula listed for S₁ is connected to the chiral moiety (Ia) or (Ib). In a preferred embodiment S₁ is —OC(O)—. The term “optionally interrupted by linking groups selected from the group —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)— or —C(O)O—” means that A₁ includes alkyl radicals that have one or more of said linking groups, and if present, preferably have 1 to 3 said linking groups; provided that only one linking group, including linking groups S₂ and S₃, is bonded to any one alkyl carbon atom, and there are no linking groups bonded to each other. Examples of a suitable A₁ divalent radical that contain one or more linking groups are polyoxyalkylene chains, of the formula —(CH₂CH₂O)_(t)CH₂CH₂— wherein t is an integer of 1 to 9.

In one embodiment, —R_(p) is selected from the group consisting of CH₂═C(R₂)—, glycidyl ether, propenyl ether, oxetane, and 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-substitued styryl and alkyl substituted styryl radicals, wherein R₂ is hydrogen, Cl, F, CN, or CH₃. Preferably —R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—, and R₂ is hydrogen or CH₃. A preferred embodiment is wherein n=0, the radical —S₂—R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—C(O)—O—, and R₂ is hydrogen or —CH₃. Another preferred embodiment is wherein n=1, the radical —S₃—R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—C(O)—O—, and R₂ is hydrogen or —CH₃. Another preferred embodiment is wherein S₁ is —O— or —OC(O)—. Another preferred embodiment is wherein S₁ and S₂ are —OC(O)—. In another preferred embodiment, when S₂ is a linking group —OC(O)— or —SC(O)—, A₁ is a linear chain having 3 to 20 carbon atoms.

The term “each B is a divalent radical independently selected from the group” means that when m=2, the two B units are selected independently, that is they may be the same or different. Preferably B is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein X₂ is a divalent radical selected from the group: —O—, —(CH₃)₂C—, and —(CF₃)₂C—; and L is as defined above.

In a preferred embodiment, each B is independently a divalent radical selected from the group consisting of 1,4-cyclohexyl; 2,6-naphthyl; 4,4′-biphenyl; and R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃. The term “R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl” refers to the radical

wherein R₁₁ can be bonded to any one of the four available carbon atoms. An especially preferred embodiment is wherein each B is independently the divalent radical R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl.

Another embodiment is a class of compounds wherein, referring to formula (I), S₁ and S₂ are each —OC(O)—; m is an integer of 1; B is 2,6-naphthyl or R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl; and —R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—. Compounds of this preferred group are selected from the group consisting of formulas (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId):

wherein D1, D2, R₁₁, and R₂ are as defined above.

Compounds of formula (IIa) can be made by the synthesis pathway outlined in Scheme 1, which exemplifies the synthesis starting with quinine, CAS [130-95-0], (which is D1-OH) wherein within D1-OH, X is —OCH₃, and R is —CH═CH₂:

Quinine is esterified with a 4-tetrahydropyranyl benzoic acid of formula (IIa-1) in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC); followed by cleavage of the tetrahydropyranyl (THP) ether with acid to provide a 4-hydroxybenzoate ester of formula (IIa-2). The 4-hydroxybenzoate ester (IIa-2) is acylated with (meth)acryloyl chloride to provide (IIa).

Compounds of formula (IIc) can be made by acylation of quinine with 6-(acryloyloxy)-2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid chloride, as illustrated in the examples herein.

Herein, all synthetic paths are exemplified with quinine However, similar synthetic pathways can be used as well with: cinchonidine, CAS [485-71-2], which is D1-OH wherein X is hydrogen; cinchonine, CAS [118-10-5], which is D2-OH wherein X is hydrogen; quinidine CAS [56-54-2]; which is D2-OH wherein X is —OCH₃; and their corresponding dihydro derivatives wherein R is —CH₂CH₃. Thus, specific compounds within the classes of formula (IIa), (IIb), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IVa) and (IVb) are available using similar synthetic methods.

Another embodiment hereof is a class of compounds wherein, referring to formula (I), S₁ and S₂ are each —OC(O)—; m is an integer of 1; B is 4,4′-biphenyl; and —R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—. Compounds of this preferred class are represented by formula is formula (IIIa) and (IIIb):

wherein D1, D2, and R₂ are as defined above.

Compounds of formula (IIa) can be made by the synthesis pathway outlined in Scheme 2:

Another embodiment is a class of compounds wherein, referring to formula (I), S₁ S₂ and S₃ are each —OC(O)—; m is an integer of 2; each B is R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl; and —R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—. Compounds of this preferred class are represented by formula (IVa) and (IVb):

wherein D1, D2, R₁₁, R₂, and A₁ are as defined above.

Compounds of formula (IVa) can be made by the synthesis pathway outlined in Scheme 3:

The 4-hydroxybenzoate ester of formula (IIa-2) is acylated with the acid chloride (IVa-1), typically in the presence of an organic base such as a tertiary amine.

Compounds of formula (I) are useful in polymerizable liquid crystal compositions, also of the invention. Compounds of formula (I) are useful as chiral dopants to induce chirality of a nematic phase to provide a twisted nematic phase. Useful twisted nematic phases can be provided by mixing the chiral dopants at about 0.5 to about 30 wt % based on the total nematic mixture. Preferred embodiments are polymerizable liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one compound of formula (IIa), (IIb), (IIc), (IId), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IVa), and (IVb).

A wide variety of polymerizable and nonpolymerizable liquid crystals can be used in the polymerizable liquid crystal compositions of the invention including in those disclosed in Makromol. Chem. 190, 2255-2268 (1989); Macromolecules, 1988, 31, 5940; Makromol. Chem. 192, 59-74 (1991); J. Polym. Sci.: Part A: Polym. Chem., Vol. 37, 3929-3935 (1999); and Makromol. Chem. 190, 3201-3215 (1989). Additional polymerizable monomers useful in liquid crystal compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,880, DE 4408170, EP 261712, EP 331233 B1, EP 397263 B1, and WO1998047979, each of which is incorporated as a part hereof by reference. A preferred group of polymerizable monomers for the polymerizable liquid crystal compositions of the invention are those of formula (VII):

wherein

R₂ is independently selected from the group: H, F, Cl, and CH₃;

n1 and n2 are, independently, integers 3 to 20;

u and v are, independently, integers 0, 1 or 2;

A is a divalent radical selected from the group:

wherein

R₃-R₁₀ are independently selected from the group: H, C₁-C₈ straight or branched chain alkyl, C₁-C₈ straight or branched chain alkyloxy, F, Cl, phenyl, —C(O)CH₃, CN, and CF₃;

X₂ is a divalent radical selected from the group: —O—, —(CH₃)₂C—, and —(CF₃)₂C—; and

each B₃ and B₄ is a divalent radical independently selected from the group: 2,6-naphthyl; 4,4′-biphenyl; and R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃;

with the proviso that when the sum of u+v is equal to 3 or 4, at least two of B₃ and B₄ are R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl.

A preferred embodiment is a polymerizable liquid crystal composition of the invention comprising polymerizable monomers wherein, referring to formula (VII), u is 1 and v is 0, and formula (VII) is formula (VIIIa):

wherein R₂ is independently H or CH₃; R₃-R₆ are independently H or —CH₃; n1 and n2 are independently integers of 3 to 20; and B₃ is R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃.

Another preferred embodiment is a polymerizable liquid crystal composition of the invention comprising polymerizable monomers wherein, referring to formula (VII), u and v are 1, and formula (VII) is formula (IXa):

wherein R₂ is independently H or CH₃; R₃-R₆ are independently H or —CH₃; n1 and n2 are independently integers of 3 to 20; and B₃ and B₄ are R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃.

Another preferred embodiment is a polymerizable liquid crystal composition of the invention comprising a mixture of polymerizable monomers of formula (VIIIa) and (IXa).

The synthesis of compounds of formula (VII), (Villa) and (IXa), and liquid crystal mixtures thereof, is disclosed in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/731,289, which is incorporated in its entirety as a part hereof for all purposes. The synthesis of Compounds 25, 26 and 27, disclosed below, are specific examples of monomers of formula (IXa) and (VIIIa) that are used in the examples illustrating the preparation of polymerizable liquid crystal compositions. Preferred polymerizable liquid crystal compositions of the invention have a twisted nematic phase below 120° C.

The liquid crystal compositions of the invention are useful in preparing polymer networks that exhibit the fixed optical properties of twisted nematic polymer networks. The polymer network of the invention is one or more polymerized layer(s) comprising a liquid crystal composition that include: polymerized films, coatings, castings and prints; including patterned, unpatterned, variable and nonvariable optical properties; that can be made by a wide variety of methods as disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,637,896, 6,010,643 and 6,410,130.

In particular, one preferred method for making a polymer network comprises involves providing a polymerizable twisted nematic mixture, in the form of a twisted nematic or isotropic phase, with a polymerization initiator, preferably a radical initiator; applying the twisted nematic mixture to one or more substrates, where the substrate(s) optionally contains an alignment layer, to provide a layer of the twisted nematic mixture; optionally treating the layer to provide a desired twisted nematic phase; and polymerizing the twisted nematic phase, preferably by exposing the twisted nematic phase to actinic radiation.

The liquid crystal compositions of various embodiments of the invention can include a radical initiator, and preferably the radical initiator is a photoinitiator useful in conducting photochemical polymerizations. For curing by electron beams, such initiators are not required. Examples of suitable photoinitiators are isobutyl benzoin ether, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)furan-1-one, mixtures of benzophenone and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, perfluorinated diphenyltitanocenes, 2-methyl-1-(4-[methylthio]phenyl)-2-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one, 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl 2-hydroxy-2-propyl ketone, 2,2-diethoxyacetophenone, 4-benzoyl-4′-methyldiphenyl sulfide, ethyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate, mixtures of 2-isopropylthioxanthone and 4-isopropylthioxanthone, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl benzoate, d,1-camphorquinone, ethyl-d,1-camphorquinone, mixtures of benzophenone and 4-methylbenzophenone, benzophenone, 4,4′-bisdimethylaminobenzophenone, triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate or mixtures of triphenylsulfonium salts. Preferably the photoinitiators are present at a level of about 0.1 wt % to 3 wt % of the polymerizable liquid crystal mixture.

As a substrate, for example, a glass or quartz sheet, as well as a plastic film or sheet can be used. It is also possible to put a second substrate on top of the coated mixture prior to, during and/or after polymerization. The substrates can optionally be removed after polymerization. When using two substrates in the case of curing by actinic radiation, at least one substrate has to be transmissive for the polymerization. Isotropic or birefringent substrates can be used. In case the substrate is not removed from the polymerized film after polymerization, preferably isotropic substrates are used.

Preferably at least one substrate is a plastic substrate, for example, a film of polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), of polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polycarbonate (PC) or triacetylcellulose (TAC), especially preferably a PET film or a TAC film. As a birefringent substrate, for example, an uniaxially stretched plastic film can be used. Preferably the substrates are buffed with a buffing cloth to enhance alignment of the chiral nematic phase.

Applying the twisted nematic mixture can be accomplished by any method that gives a uniform layer, or if desired, a patterned or non-uniform layer. Coating, including rod-coating, extrusion coating, gravure coating, slot-die coating and spin-coating, spraying, printing, blading, knifing, or a combination of methods, can be used.

Preferably the polymerizable liquid crystal mixture is coated as a thin layer on a substrate or between substrates, and aligned in its chiral mesophase into planar orientation, wherein the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer. Planar orientation can be achieved, for example, by shearing the mixture, e.g., by means of a doctor blade. It is also possible to put a second substrate on top of the coated material. In this case, the shearing caused by putting together the two substrates is sufficient to give good alignment. Alternatively it is possible to apply an alignment layer, for example a layer of rubbed polyimide or sputtered SiO₂, on top of at least one of the substrates, or to apply an electric or magnetic field to the coated mixture, in order to induce or enhance planar alignment. Useful polyimide alignment layers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,455. Alignment of twisted nematic phases by coating of dilute liquid crystal mixtures is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,130. Planar alignment may be induced or enhanced by addition of one or more surface-active compounds to the polymerizable mixture.

Treating the liquid crystal layer to provide a desired liquid crystal phase can include, cooling or heating the liquid crystal layer, for instance to achieve a desired phase or optical property; application of a mechanical shear to the liquid crystal layer, for instance, by application of a knife blade to the liquid crystal layer, shearing two or more substrates wherein the liquid crystal layer is interposed, or vibration, sonication or other form of agitation to the substrate(s).

Another preferred method for making a polymer network involves providing an isotropic solution that contains a polymerizable liquid crystal mixture, a polymerization initiator, preferably a photoinitiator, and a carrier solvent; applying the isotropic solution to one or more substrate(s), preferably where the substrate(s) contains an alignment layer, to provide an isotropic layer; removing the carrier solvent and, optionally, treating the layer, to provide a desired liquid crystal phase; and polymerizing the liquid crystal phase, preferably by exposing the liquid crystal phase to actinic radiation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,010,643 and 4,637,896 exemplify preparation of a liquid crystal layer using two substrates to form a cell. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,637,896 and 6,410,130 exemplify preparation of a liquid crystal layer from an isotropic solution, followed by polymerization.

Wherein a carrier solvent is used with the liquid crystal composition, coating and spraying are preferred methods for applying the isotropic solution. Removing the carrier solvent can be accomplished by allowing the carrier solvent to evaporate, with or without heating and/or application of a vacuum. Allowing the carrier solvent to evaporate also may be accompanied and/or followed by application of a mechanical shear to the liquid crystal layer as described above. Examples of carrier solvents are linear or branched esters, especially acetic esters, cyclic ethers and esters, alcohols, lactones, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, xylene and cyclohexane, chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as dichloromethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, and also ketones, amides, N-alkylpyrrolidones, especially N-methylpyrrolidone. Additional examples of useful solvents include tetrahydrofuran (THF), dioxane, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate.

The liquid crystal compositions of the invention may further comprise small amounts of a polymerizable diluent including, for example, 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate.

The liquid crystal compositions of the invention may further comprise small amounts of surfactants, leveling agents, viscosity modifiers, wetting agents, defoamers, and UV and radical stabilizers. Selection will often be based upon observed coating and alignment quality and the desired adhesion of the final polymer network to the substrate and other layers. Typical surfactants comprise siloxy-, fluoryl-, alkyl-and alkynyl-substituted surfactants. These include surfactants sold under the trade names BYK (Byk Chemie, Wesel, Germany), ZONYL (DuPont), TRITON (Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.), SURFUNOL and DYNOL (Air Products, Inc. Allentown , Pa.). A stabilizer may be used to prevent undesired spontaneous polymerization, for example, during storage of the composition. A wide variety of stabilizers may be used for this purpose. Typical examples for stabilizers are 4-ethoxyphenol, 4-methoxyphenol, methyl hydroquinone, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).

Exposing the liquid crystal phase to actinic radiation can be done by a variety of means, including heat, microwave radiation, UV and visible light, and electron beam and other radiation. Radiation sources can include Hg arc lamps, Xenon lamps, laser light sources, and the like. The exposing can be done selectively, if so desired, and may include the use of a mask, or a computer controlled scan system. A detailed description of the in situ polymerization of polymerizable mesogenic compounds can be found, for example, in D. J. Broer et al., Makromolekulare Chemie 190, 2255 (1989).

Polymerization is preferably carried out under an atmosphere of inert gas, preferably under a nitrogen atmosphere. The polymerization can be conducted at room temperature, below room temperature or above room temperature if so desired. The optical properties of a twisted nematic liquid crystal phase, particularly the wavelength of reflection, can be tuned, to some extent, by adjusting the temperature of the phase. In a preferred embodiment, the polymerization is conducted above room temperature (-25° C.), preferably about 40° C. to about 10° C. below the isotropic point of the liquid crystal composition. A preferred temperature range for conducting the polymerization is about 50° C. to about 90° C., provided this is below the isotropic point of the liquid crystal composition. The polymerization above room temperature generally provides a polymer network with a lower haze, as determined by visual observation, than one provided by polymerization at room temperature.

The polymer networks of the invention can be made either flexible or brittle depending on crosslinking The brittle films can be flaked and the flakes used as pigments in a variety of inks or paints for use in cosmetics and automobile paint. The films can be combined with other pigments or pigment layers, for instance black layers, that act to enhance the brilliance of the reflected light.

The polymer networks of the invention exhibit more stable optical properties than polymer networks having chiral dopants that are not covalently linked to the network. The differences in stability are readily apparent when polymer networks are overcoated with second or third layer of polymerizable liquid crystal composition, referred to as “overcoating”, which is a useful process in fabrication of multilayer optical devices, having multiple wavelengths of maximum reflection. The optical properties, specifically the wavelength of maximum reflection remain substantially intact, when the polymer networks of the invention are overcoated with a second solution comprising liquid crystal monomers; whereas the optical properties of polymer networks wherein the chiral dopant is not covalently bonded to the network experience a significant shift in wavelength of maximum reflection under similar circumstances. Furthermore, polymer networks wherein the chiral dopant is not covalently bonded to the network appear to act as sources of chiral contaminates when overcoated with a second solution comprising liquid crystal monomers. As a result the second layer tends to exhibit a substantial shift in wavelength of maximum reflection to lower wavelength (tighter pitch). This affect could be explained if chiral dopant were being extracted into the second layer. On the contrary, coating a second layer of polymerizable liquid crystal monomers onto a polymer network of the invention, wherein the chiral dopants are substantially covalently bonded to the network, shows no evidence of extraction of the chiral dopant into the second layer. This is evidenced by the fact that the wavelength of maximum reflection of the second layer is substantially identical to that of the same polymerizable liquid crystal composition coated as a single layer. The inventions hereof are not, however, limited to any particular theory of operation.

The polymer networks of the invention are useful as optical elements or components of an optical element. An optical element is any film, coating or shaped object that is used to modify the characteristics of light. The modifications produced by optical elements include changes in the intensity of light through changes in transmission or reflectivity, changes in wavelength or wavelength distribution, changes in the state of polarization, changes in the direction of propagation of part or all of the light, or changes in the spatial distribution of intensity by, for example, focusing, collimating, or diffusing the light. Examples of optical elements include linear polarizers, circular polarizers, lenses, mirrors, collimators, diffusers, reflectors and the like. One specific example of an optical element is a layer of a cholesteric polymer network of the invention that reflects light within the vicinity of λ₀, employed in a window structure. One preferred embodiment of the invention is a polymer network having a wavelength of maximum reflection in the range of about 280 to about 2500 nm; and more preferably, in the range of about 700 to about 1400 nm.

EXAMPLES

This invention is further defined in the following examples. It should be understood that these examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. The selection of the embodiments set forth below to illustrate the inventions hereof does not indicate that materials, components, reactants, ingredients, conditions or designs not described in these examples are not suitable for practicing these inventions, or that subject matter not described in these examples is excluded from the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

In the examples, thermal transitions are given in degrees Centigrade. The following notations are used to describe the observed phases: K=crystal, N=nematic, S=smectic, TN*=twisted nematic, X=unidentified phase, I=isotropic, P=polymerized. The thermal transitions and phase assignments were made with differential scanning calorimetry and hotstage optical microscopy. The following abbreviations are used in the examples:

-   DCM=dichloromethane, -   DMAc=dimethyl acetamide, -   DMAP=4-dimethylamino pyridine, -   DI water=deionized water, -   EDC=1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride, -   IPA=isopropyl alcohol, -   mp=melting point, -   pTSA=p-toluenesulfonic acid, -   PPTS=pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate, -   THF=tetrahydrofuran, -   TEA=triethylamine, -   THP=tetrahydropyranyl, -   RT=room temperature.

For the examples, the following compounds were first prepared:

Compounds 25, 26 and 27 are liquid crystal monomers that were used in formulation of liquid crystal mixtures of the various embodiments of the invention. The syntheses of the monomers are disclosed in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/731,289, which is incorporated in its entirety as a part hereof for all purposes, and are illustrated in the following Schemes 5-7.

A mixture of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (240.0 g), methylhydroquinone (100.2 g), pTSA (6 g), and xylenes (1.5 L) was heated to reflux under a nitrogen atmosphere for a total of 26 h in a flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap, condenser and mechanical stirrer. Additional pTSA (6.0 g portions) was added after 8 and 18 h after cooling the reaction mixture RT. The final reaction mixture was cooled to RT, the solids collected and washed with hexanes. The solids were slurried with hot acetone (600 mL) and cooled to RT, collected and dried to provide Compound 25A: ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 500 MHz) δ 2.16 (s, 3H), 6.93 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.95 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.13 (m, 1H), 7.23 (m, 2H), 7.99 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.02 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.51 (s, 2H).

A mixture of Compound 25A (100 g), THF (750 mL), and TEA (165 mL) was cooled to 0° C. A mixture of 6-bromohexanoyl chloride (126.0 g) in THF (400 mL) was added over about 0.75 h. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 h and allowed to warm to RT, and stirred for 2 h. The mixture was poured into water (1.5 L) and hydrochloric acid (37%) was added until the mixture was pH 6. The mixture was stirred for 15 min and the solids collected. The solids were rinsed with water, methanol and then dried to provide Compound 25B: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.60 (m, 4H), 1.81 (m, 4H), 1.95 (m, 4H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.62 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.63 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 3.45 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 4H), 7.10 (dd, J=8.6, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (d, J=2.7, 1H), 7.19 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.22 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.25 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H).

To a mixture of Compound 25B (20.0 g), potassium bicarbonate (25.1 g), tetrabutyl ammonium iodide (5.14 g), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (1.04 g), and THF (350 mL) was added acrylic acid (5.73 mL). The mixture was heated at 65° C. for 9 h and then allowed to stir at RT overnight. The mixture was partition between ethyl ether/water, and the ether layer washed with several portions of water. The ether layer was dried and the solvent removed and the product recrystallized from isopropanol to provide Compound 25 (17.25 g): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ54 (m=4H), 1.77 (m, 4H), 1.83 (m, 4H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.624 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.629 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 4.21 (t, J=6.6, 4H), 5.82 (dd, J=10.4, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 6.13 (dd, J=17.3, 10.4 Hz, 2H), 6.40 (dd, J=17.3, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (dd, J=8.7, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (d, J=2.7, 1H), 7.19 (d, J=8.7, 1H), 7.24 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.22 (d, 8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.25 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H).

Using a similar procedure to that used for Compound 25B, Compound 25A was acylated with 4-bromobutyroyl chloride to provide Compound 26A, followed by displacement of the bromides with acrylate to provide Compound 26: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 2.17 (m, 4H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.73 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.74 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 4.308 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 2H), 4.310 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 2H), 5.858 (dd, J=10.5, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.860 (dd, J=10.5, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.144 (dd, J=17.4, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 6.146 (dd, J=17.4, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 6.434 (dd, J=17.4, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.437 (dd, J=17.4, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (dd, J=8.6, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (d, J=2.6, 1H), 7.19 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.27 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.23 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.26 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H).

A mixture of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (80 g), hydroquinone (64 g), pTSA (2 g), xylenes (500 mL) was heated to reflux in a flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap, condenser and mechanical stirrer until about 10 mL of water were collected. After cooling to room temperature the solids were filtered off, washed with hexanes, and dried. The solids were placed into 600 mL of boiling acetone and stirred for 30 min.

The mixture was filtered hot to eliminate traces of insoluble material. After cooling to RT, DI water (1500 mL) was added slowly to precipitate the product. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried to provide Compound 27A. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 6.78 (d, 8.9 Hz, 2H), 6.90 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.00 (d, J=8/9 Hz, 2H), 7.94 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 9.42 (s, 1H), 10.44 (s, 1H).

Compound 27B was prepared using an analogous procedure as was described above for the synthesis of Compound 25B. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ1.59 (m, 4H), 1.80 (m, 4H), 1.94 (m, 4H), 2.59 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.63 (t, J=7.4 Jz, 2H), 3.441 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.446 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (d, 9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.24 (d, 8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.22 (d, 8.8 Hz, 2H).

Compound 27 was prepared using an analogous procedure as was described above for the synthesis of Compound 25. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.52 (m, 4H), 1.76 (m, 4H), 1.78 (m, 4H), 2.59 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.62 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 4.19 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 4.20 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 5.823 (dd, 1H), 5.826 (dd, 1H), 6.122 (dd, 1H), 6.127 (dd, 1H), 6.404 (dd, 1H), 6.407 (dd, 1H), 7.13 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.21 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.23 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.21 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H).

Compound 28 was prepared in a similar manner as described for the synthesis of Compound 2 by reacting acid chloride of 4′-ethyloxy-4-biphenylcarboxylic acid with quinine Compound 28 had a mp 76-78° C.; MS (APCI): m/z [M+H⁺] calcd for C₃₅H₃₇O₃N₂: 533.2804; found: 533.2792. Compound 28 was used in the comparative example A to demonstrate the differences in performance between the polymerizable chiral dopants of the invention and nonpolymerizable chiral dopant known art as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,022,259.

Example 1

This example illustrates the synthesis of the chiral dopant Compound 2

Compound 1 was first prepared. To a mixture of 4′-hydroxy-4-biphenylcarboxylic acid (2.00 g), NaOH (1.16 g), dioxane (15 mL), and DI water (20 mL) under nitrogen was cooled down to 10° C., was added acryloyl chloride (0.83 g) drop-wise. The mixture was allowed to stir at RT for 4 h. The mixture was acidified with 1 M HCl solution and filtered. The isolated solid was washed with water-acetone (1:1 v/v) to provide Compound 1 (1.88 g): mp 247-250° C.

A mixture of Compound 1 (0.80 g), DMF (3 drops), and anhydrous THF (10 mL), under nitrogen atmosphere, was cooled down to 0° C. A solution containing THF (10 mL) and oxalyl chloride (0.38 mL) was added drop-wise. The solution mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 4.5 h. The mixture was concentrated to provide the acid chloride of Compound 1. A mixture of quinine (0.92 g), TEA (0.79 mL), DMAP (0.035 g), and DCM (20 mL) under nitrogen was cooled to 0° C.; followed by dropwise addition of the acid chloride of Compound 1 in DCM (10 mL). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 12 h. Water (75 mL) was added and the mixture acidified with 0.5 M HCl. The mixture was extracted with DCM and the combined organic layers were washed with 5 wt % aqueous Na₂CO₃, water, and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. The solution was filtered and concentrated, and the crude material purified with silica chromatography to provide Compound 2 (1.20 g): mp 78-81° C.; MS (APCI): m/z [M+H⁺] calcd for C₃₆H₃₅O₅N₂; 575.2546; found: 575.2536.

Example 2

This example illustrates the synthesis of Compound 4.

Compound 3 was first prepared. A mixture of 6-hydroxy-2-naphtholic acid (2.00 g), NaOH (0.85 g), dioxane (10 mL), DI water (20 mL) under nitrogen atmosphere was cooled down to 10° C. Acryloyl chloride (0.95 g) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at RT for 4 h. The mixture was acidified with 1 M HCl solution, and filtered. The isolated solid was washed with water-acetone mixture (1:1 v/v) to provide Compound 3 (1.25 g): mp 210-212° C.

The acid chloride of Compound 3 was synthesized following a similar procedure in the preparation of acid chloride of Compound 1. To a mixture of (−)-cinchonindine (0.81 g), TEA (0.77 mL), DMAP (0.034 g), and DCM (20 mL), under nitrogen atmosphere and cooled down to 0° C., was dropwise added the acid chloride of Compound 3 (0.76 g) in DCM (10 mL). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 20 h. Water (75 mL) was added and the mixture was acidified with 0.5 M HCl. The mixture was extracted DCM and the combined organic layers were washed with 5 wt % aqueous Na₂CO₃ and water, and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The crude product was purified with silica chromatography to provide Compound 4 (1.00 g): mp 70-72° C.; MS (APCI): m/z [M+H⁺] calcd for C₃₃H₃₁O₄N₂: 519.2284; found: 519.2292.

Example 3

This example illustrates the synthesis of Compound 5.

Compound 5 was synthesized following similar procedure in the preparation of Compound 4. To a mixture of quinine (0.92 g), TEA (0.79 mL), DMAP (0.035 g), and DCM (20 mL), under nitrogen atmosphere and cooled down to 0° C., was dropwise added acid chloride of Compound 3 (0.76 g) in DCM (10 mL). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 12 h. Water (75 mL) was added and the mixture was acidified with 0.5 M HCl. The mixture was extracted with DCM and the combined organic layers were washed with 5 wt % aqueous Na₂CO₃ and water, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The crude product was purified with silica chromatography to provide Compound 5 (1.00 g): mp 70-72° C.; MS (APCI): m/z [M+H⁺] calcd for C₃₄H₃₃O₅N₂: 549.2389; found: 549.2373.

Example 4

This Example illustrates the synthesis of Compound 9.

Compound 6 was first prepared. To a mixture of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (20.1 g), PPTS (0.12 g) in DCM (80 mL) was added 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (14.6 mL). The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at RT overnight. The solution mixture was filtered, washed with ethyl ether, and dried to provide Compound 6 (19.0 g): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.62 (m, 1H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 1.89 (m, 2H), 2.01 (m, 1H), 3.63 (m, 1H), 3.86 (m, 1H), 5.52 (t, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (m, 2H), 8.06 (m, 2H), 10.1 (br s, 1H).

To a mixture of quinine (5.57 g), Compound 6 (5.73 g), DMAP (2.10 g) in DCM (150 mL), under nitrogen, was added EDC (9.89 g) in DCM (15 mL). The mixture was allowed to stir at RT overnight. The solution mixture was washed with water, 0.5 M HCl solution, 0.1 M NaOH solution, and water. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to provide Compound 7 (7.35 g).

To a mixture of Compound 7 (6.09 g) in THF/methanol (1:1, 150 mL) was added HCl (37%, 1.25 mL). The mixture was heated to 50° C. for 10 h under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was cooled to RT, neutralized with 5 wt.% aqueous Na₂CO₃, concentrated, and precipitated in water. The solid was further washed with water, filtered, and dried to provide Compound 8 (4.36 g): mp 215-217° C.

A mixture of Compound 8 (1.00 g) and TEA (0.94 mL) in THF (25 mL) was cooled to 0° C. A mixture of acryloyl chloride (0.27 mL) in THF (5 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 4 h. The reaction mixture was filtered, acidified with 0.5 M HCl solution, extracted with DCM. The combined organic layer was washed with water, dried with anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated to provide Compound 9 (1.16 g): mp 55-57° C.; MS (APCI): m/z [M+H⁺] calcd for C₃₀H₃₁O₅N₂: 499.2233; found: 499.2229.

Example 5

This Example illustrates the synthesis of Compound 11.

Compound 10 was first made following the procedure reported in PCT/JP2005/004389. 6-Hydroxyhexanoic acid was synthesized by base hydrolysis of caprolactone. Caprolactone (100 g) was added to a mixture of potassium hydroxide (145 g), methanol (110 mL), and THF (390 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solution was then acidified with HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with water, dried, filtered, and concentrated to obtain 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.44 (m, 2H), 1.60 (m, 2H), 1.68 (m, 2H), 2.37 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 3.66 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H), 5.80 (br, 1 H).

6-Hydroxyhexanoic acid was then converted to 6-acryloyloxyhexanoic acid. A mixture of 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid (10 g), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (0.5 g), and DMAc (57 mL) was cooled to 0° C. Acryloyl chloride (17.2 g) was then added dropwise. After stirring for 3.5 h, pyridine (12 mL) and water (12 mL) were slowly added. After stirring for another 2 h, the solution was acidified with dilute HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layer was washed with water, dried, filtered, and concentrated to afford 6-acryloyloxyhexanoic acid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.46 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 4H), 2.37 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 4.17 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 5.82 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H), 6.12 (dd, J=17.3, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 6.39 (d, J=17.3 Hz, 1H), 11.59 (br, 1 H).

Compound 10 was obtained by esterification of 6-acryloyloxyhexanoic acid with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. To a mixture of 6-acryloyloxyhexanoic acid (5.0 g), THF (20 mL) and DMF (5 drops), cooled to 0° C., was added drop-wise a solution of oxalyl chloride (1.70 mL) in THF (25 mL). After stirring at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 4 h, solvent was removed to provide the corresponding acid chloride that was re-dissolved in THF (20 mL). To a mixture of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2.04 g), TEA (3.74 mL), DMAP (0.16 g) in THF (75 mL), cooled to 0° C., 6-acryloyloxyhexanoic acid chloride in THF (20 mL) was added dropwise. After stirring at 0° C. for 20 min and at RT for 12 h, water was acidified with 0.1 M HCl solution, extracted with DCM, washed with water, dried with anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The crude mixture was purified by washing with a mixture of isopropanol and hexane to provide Compound 10 (3.20 g). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.53 (m, 2H), 1.76 (m, 2H), 1.82 (m, 2H), 2.61 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 4.20 (t, J=3.2 Hz, 2H), 5.82 (dd, J=10.5, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.13 (dd, J=17.3, 10.4 Hz, 1H), 6.41 (dd, J=17.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (m, 2H), 8.14 (m, 2H).

To a mixture of Compound 10 (0.36 g), THF (20 mL), and DMF (3 drops), cooled to 0° C., was added drop-wise oxalyl chloride (0.23 mL) in THF (10 mL). After stirring at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 4 h, solvent was removed and the resulting acid chloride was dissolved in DCM (10 mL) and added to a mixture of Compound 8 (0.50 g), TEA (0.31 mL) and DCM (20 mL), cooled to 0° C. After stirring at 0° C. for 30 min and at RT for 4 h, the mixture was acidified with 0.1 M HCl solution and extracted with DCM. The combined organic layers were washed with water, dried with anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The crude product was purified by silica chromatography to obtain Compound 11 (0.54 g): mp 57-60° C.; MS (APCI): m/z [M+H⁺] calcd for C₄₃H₄₅O₉N₂: 733.3125; found: 733.3104.

Example 6

This example illustrates the preparation of Mixture 1 and the preparation of a liquid crystal polymer network.

Mixture 1:

Compound 2 (0.037 g), Compound 25 (0.157 g), Compound 26 (0.078 g), Compound 27 (0.059 g), and IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator (Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Ardsley New York) (0.006 g) were combined and dissolved in DCM. The solution was filtered (0.45 micron filter), and the DCM was removed to provide Mixture 1: phase behavior: 1^(st) heating: X−43.6 TN*66.2 I; 1^(st) cooling: I 80.8 TN*−33.3 X; 2^(nd) heating: X−46.1 TN*85.1 I.

A polyethylene terephthalate film was hand rubbed with a Yoshikawa YA-20-R rubbing cloth (Yoshikawa Chemical Company, Osaka, Japan). Mixture 1 was dissolved in xylenes to provide a 30 wt % solution. The solution was coated by hand using a Wire Size 20 Wire Wound Lab Rod (Paul N. Gardner Company, Pompano Beach, Fla.). The wet coating was heated at 60° C. for 5 min to allow solvent evaporation and alignment of the liquid crystal composition. The coated film was positioned 5.5 cm below a BLAK-RAY long wave UV mercury lamp (Model B-100 AP, UVP Inc., Upland, California, with a power of 35 mW/cm²) and was exposed for 5 min under a nitrogen atmosphere to provide a crosslinked polymer network. The crosslinked film exhibited a wavelength of reflection at 625 nm.

Example 7 Mixture 2:

Compound 4 (0.037 g), Compound 25 (0.157 g), Compound 26 (0.078 g),

Compound 27 (0.059 g), and IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator (0.006 g) were combined and dissolved in DCM. The solution was filtered (0.45 micron filter), and the solvent was removed to provide Mixture 2: phase behavior: 1^(st) heating: X−46.0 TN*107.7 I; 1^(st) cooling: I 76.7 TN*−27.5 X; 2^(nd) heating: X−26.9 TN*81.2 I. Coating and polymerization of a film derived from Mixture 2 was performed following similar procedures as described in Example 6 to provide a crosslinked polymer network: wavelength of reflection=1050 nm.

Example 8 Mixture 3:

Compound 5 (0.037 g), Compound 25 (0.157 g), Compound 26 (0.078 g),

Compound 27 (0.059 g), and IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator (0.006 g) were combined and dissolved in DCM. The solution was filtered (0.45 micron filter), and the solvent was removed to provide Mixture 3: phase behavior: 1^(st) heating: X−50.7 TN*85.8 I; 1^(st) cooling: I 77.2 TN*−26.7 X; 2^(nd) heating: X−27.9 TN*81.9 I. Coating and polymerization of a film derived from Mixture 3 was performed following similar procedures as described in Example 6 to provide a crosslinked polymer network: wavelength of reflection=979 nm.

Example 9 Mixture 4:

Compound 9 (0.037 g), Compound 25 (0.157 g), Compound 26 (0.078 g),

Compound 27 (0.059 g), and IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator (0.006 g) were combined and dissolved in DCM. The solution was filtered (0.45 micron filter), and the solvent was removed to provide Mixture 4: phase behavior: 1^(st) heating: X−37.9 TN*62.1 I; 1^(st) cooling: I 74.2 TN*−31.7 X; 2^(nd) heating: X−27.2 TN*77.7 I. Coating and polymerization of a film derived from Mixture 4 was performed following similar procedures as described in Example 6 to provide a crosslinked polymer network: wavelength of reflection=1325 nm.

Example 10 Mixture 5:

Compound 11 (0.023 g), Compound 25 (0.157 g), Compound 26 (0.078 g), Compound 27 (0.059 g), and IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator (0.006 g) were combined and dissolved in DCM. The solution was filtered (0.45 micron filter), and the solvent was removed to provide Mixture 5: phase behavior: 1^(st) heating: X−30.1 TN*93.2 I; 1^(st) cooling: I 92.0 TN*−29.0 X; 2^(nd) heating: X−27.5 TN*95.7 I. Coating and polymerization of a film derived from Mixture 5 was performed following similar procedures as described in Example 6 to provide a crosslinked polymer network: wavelength of reflection=1508 nm.

Example 11 Mixture 6:

Compound 11 (0.037 g), Compound 25 (0.157 g), Compound 26 (0.078 g), Compound 27 (0.059 g), and IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator (0.006 g) were combined and dissolved in DCM. The solution was filtered (0.45 micron filter), and the solvent was removed to provide Mixture 6. Coating and polymerization of a film derived from Mixture 6 was performed following similar procedures as described in

Example 6 to provide a crosslinked polymer network. The film is hazy and has a broad reflection band centered around 1710 nm.

Example 12

This example demonstrates the stability of the polymer network of the invention when subjected to a second coating of liquid crystal monomer solution. A separate batch of liquid crystal Mixture 1 was prepared and coated onto a substrate and cured, as described in Example 6, to provide a polymer network layer having a wavelength of reflection=610 nm. An overcoating of the liquid crystal Mixture 1 was then coated onto the polymer network layer, followed by drying and curing in a similar manner to example 6, to provide a bilayer of a liquid crystal network, exhibiting a wavelength of reflection=608 nm. This indicated that the optical properties of the polymer network from the first coating were substantially unaffected by the coating of the second liquid crystal Mixture 1.

Comparative Example 1 Mixture A

Compound 28 (0.037 g), Compound 25 (0.157 g), Compound 26 (0.078 g), Compound 27 (0.059 g), and IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator (Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Ardsley New York) (0.006 g) were combined and dissolved in DCM. The solution was filtered (0.45 micron filter), and the DCM was removed to provide Mixture A.

Coating and polymerization of a film derived from Mixture A was performed following similar procedures as described in Example 6 to provide a crosslinked polymer network: wavelength of reflection=724 nm. This polymer network acted as the control film of Mixture A, and exemplified a polymer network having a chiral dopant that was not covalently bonded to the polymer network

A overcoating of the liquid crystal Mixture A was then coated onto the polymer network layer, followed by drying and curing in a similar manner to Example 6, to provide a bilayer of a liquid crystal network, exhibiting a wavelength of reflection=715 nm. This indicated that the wavelength of maximum reflection of the polymer network from the first coating was shifted by 9 nm by overcoating liquid crystal Mixture A.

Example 13

This example demonstrates the stability of a polymer network of Mixture 1 when subjected to an overcoating of liquid crystal monomer solution Mixture A. To a polymer network film provided by coating and curing of Mixture 1, as defined in Example 12, was applied an overcoating of the liquid crystal Mixture A, followed by drying and curing in a similar manner to example 6, to provide a bilayer of a liquid crystal network, exhibiting a wavelength of reflection=610 nm (for Mixture 1 layer) and a wavelength of reflection=714 nm (for Mixture A layer). As indicated in Example 12, Mixture 1 alone exhibited λ_(max)=610 nm. This indicated that the λ_(max) of the polymer network derived from Mixture 1 was substantially unaffected by the coating of the second liquid crystal Mixture A.

Comparative Example 2

This example demonstrates the instability of a polymer network of Mixture A when subjected to an overcoating consisting of the liquid crystal monomer solution Mixture 1. To a polymer network film provided by coating and curing of Mixture A, as defined in Comparative Example 1, was applied an overcoating of the liquid crystal Mixture 1, followed by drying and curing in a similar manner to Example 6, to provide a bilayer of a liquid crystal network, exhibiting a wavelength of reflection=587 nm (for Mixture 1 layer) and a wavelength of reflection=728 nm (for Mixture A layer). As indicated in Example 12, Mixture 1 alone exhibited λ_(max)=610 nm. This indicated that the λ_(max) of the polymer network derived from Mixture 1 was substantially shifted as a result of overcoating the liquid crystal Mixture 1 onto the polymer network derived from Mixture A. Thus, it is clear that the polymer network derived from Mixture A is acting as a source of chiral impurity in the overcoat of Mixture 1.

Each of the formulae shown herein describes each and all of the separate, individual compounds that can be assembled in that formula by (1) selection from within the prescribed range for one of the variable radicals, substituents or numerical coefficents while all of the other variable radicals, substituents or numerical coefficents are held constant, and (2) performing in turn the same selection from within the prescribed range for each of the other variable radicals, substituents or numerical coefficents with the others being held constant. In addition to a selection made within the prescribed range for any of the variable radicals, substituents or numerical coefficents of only one of the members of the group described by the range, a plurality of compounds may be described by selecting more than one but less than all of the members of the whole group of radicals, substituents or numerical coefficents. When the selection made within the prescribed range for any of the variable radicals, substituents or numerical coefficents is a subgroup containing (i) only one of the members of the whole group described by the range, or (ii) more than one but less than all of the members of the whole group, the selected member(s) are selected by omitting those member(s) of the whole group that are not selected to form the subgroup. The compound, or plurality of compounds, may in such event be characterized by a definition of one or more of the variable radicals, substituents or numerical coefficents that refers to the whole group of the prescribed range for that variable but where the member(s) omitted to form the subgroup are absent from the whole group.

In this specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise or indicated to the contrary by the context of usage, where an embodiment of the subject matter hereof is stated or described as comprising, including, containing, having, being composed of or being constituted by or of certain features or elements, one or more features or elements in addition to those explicitly stated or described may be present in the embodiment. An alternative embodiment of the subject matter hereof, however, may be stated or described as consisting essentially of certain features or elements, in which embodiment features or elements that would materially alter the principle of operation or the distinguishing characteristics of the embodiment are not present therein. A further alternative embodiment of the subject matter hereof may be stated or described as consisting of certain features or elements, in which embodiment, or in insubstantial variations thereof, only the features or elements specifically stated or described are present.

All patents and patent publications cited herein are hereby incorporated as a part hereof by reference. 

1. A compound as represented by the structure of the following formula (I): D-S₁—(B—S₂)_(m)-(A₁S₃)_(n)——R_(p)   (I) wherein D is a chiral moiety (D1) or (D2) derived, by formal removal of a hydroxyl group, from the alkaloids selected from the group consisting of (-) cinchonidine, CAS [485-71-2]; (+)-cinchonine, CAS [118-10-5]; quinine, CAS [130-95-0] and quinidine, CAS [56-54-2]; and their dihydro-derivatives:

X is hydrogen or —OCH₃; R is —CH═CH₂ or —CH₂CH₃; S₁ is a linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —OC(O)—, —OC(O)NH— and —OC(O)O—; S₂ and S₃ are linking groups each independently selected from the group consisting of covalent bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —OC(O)NR₁—, —NR₁C(O)O—, —SC(O)—, and ‘3C(O)S—; R₁ is hydrogen or C₁ to C₄ alkyl; each B is a divalent radical independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic and aromatic carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having 1 to 16 carbon atoms; optionally having one or more fused rings and optionally mono- or polysubstituted with L; L is selected from the group consisting of the substitutents F, Cl, —CN, and —NO₂; and alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, and alkoxycarbonyl groups, having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the carbon atoms are optionally substituted with F or Cl; A₁ is a divalent linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by linking groups selected from the group —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)— and ‘3C(O)O—; R_(p) is a polymerizable group; m is an integer of 1 or 2; and n is an integer of 0 or
 1. 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein —R_(p) is selected from the group consisting of CH₂═C(R₂)—, glycidyl ether, propenyl ether, oxetane, and 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-substitued styryl and alkyl substituted styryl radicals, wherein R₂ is hydrogen, Cl, F, or CH₃.
 3. The compound of claim 1 wherein n=0 and, the radical —S₂—R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—C(O)—O—, and R₂ is hydrogen or —CH₃.
 4. The compound of claim 1 wherein n=1 and, the radical —S₃—R_(p) is CH₂═C(R₂)—C(O)—O—, and R₂ is hydrogen or —CH₃.
 5. The compound of claim 1 wherein S₁ is —O— or —OC(O)—.
 6. The compound of claim 1 wherein S₁ and S₂ are —OC(O)—.
 7. The compound of claim 1 wherein B are each independently divalent radicals selected from the group consisting of 1,4-cyclohexyl; 2,6-naphthyl; 4,4′-biphenyl; and R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃.
 8. The compound of claim 1 wherein formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of formula (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId) :

wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃; and R₂ is hydrogen, Cl, F, or CH₃.
 9. The compound of claim 1 wherein formula (I) is formula (IIIa) or (IIIb):

wherein R₂ is hydrogen, Cl, F, or CH₃.
 10. The compound of claim 1 wherein formula (I) is formula (IVa) or (IVb):

wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃; A₁ is a divalent linear or branched alkyl having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by linking groups selected from the group —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)— and —C(O)O—; and R₂ is hydrogen, Cl, F, or CH₃.
 11. A polymerizable liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound of claim
 1. 12. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition of claim 11 further comprising a compound of formula (V):

wherein R₂ is independently selected from the group: H, F, Cl, and CH₃; n1 and n2 are, independently, integers 3 to 20; u and v are, independently, integers 0, 1 or 2; A is a divalent radical selected from the group:

wherein R₃-R₁₀ are independently selected from the group: H, C₁-C₈ straight or branched chain alkyl, C₁-C₈ straight or branched chain alkyloxy, F, Cl, phenyl, —C(O)CH₃, CN, and CF₃; X₂ is a divalent radical selected from the group: —O—, —(CH₃)₂C—, and —(CF₃)₂C—; and each B₃ and B₄ is a divalent radical independently selected from the group: 2,6-naphthyl; 4,4′-biphenyl; and R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃; with the proviso that when the sum of u+v is equal to 3 or 4, at least two of B₃ and B₄ are R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl.
 13. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition of claim 12 wherein, within formula (V), u is 1 and v is 0, and formula (V) is formula (VIa):

wherein R₂ is independently H or CH₃; R₃-R₆ are independently H or —CH₃; and B₃ is R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃.
 14. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition of claim 12 wherein, within formula (V), u and v are 1, and formula (V) is formula (VIIa):

wherein R₂ is independently H or CH₃; R₃-R₆ are independently H or —CH₃; and B₃ and B₄ are R₁₁-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R₁₁ is H, —CH₃ or —OCH₃.
 15. A polymer network polymerized from the composition of claim 11 or
 12. 16. The polymer network of claim 15 having a wavelength of maximum reflection in the range of about 280 to about 2500 nm.
 17. The polymer network of claim 15 having a wavelength of maximum reflection in the range of 700 to about 1400 nm.
 18. The polymer network of claim 15 that is an optical element. 